Australian producers have long used macrocyclic lactones (MLs) to successfully control cattle gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) and consequently improve production parameters. However, the trajectory of ML resistance development in cattle GINs is following that of small ruminant nematode populations, highlighting a need for novel treatment options to provide efficacy in the current environment and interrupt the long-term establishment of ML-resistant GIN populations in Australian cattle. Here, we describe three field studies conducted in Australia to evaluate the efficacy of a single administration of a novel fixed-dose combination injectable (FDCI) endectocide against naturally acquired infections of cattle GINs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe describe a new fixed-dose combination injectable (FDCI) formulated with doramectin and levamisole hydrochloride (HCl) to target broad and overlapping spectra of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) through two distinct modes of action. Here, we demonstrate the superior efficacy of the FDCI against mixed populations of cattle GINs in two dose confirmation studies conducted in Australia using artificially induced adult (Study 1) and immature (Study 2) GIN infections. Artificial infections consisted of Cooperia spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntensive farming practices and heavy reliance on anthelmintics have contributed significantly to the problem of macrocyclic lactone (ML) resistance in New Zealand. Farmers now have few options for effectively controlling cattle gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) and regularly experience sub-optimal efficacy against economically important species. We present a novel fixed-dose combination injectable (FDCI) that simultaneously delivers 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic placed the UK healthcare system under unprecedented pressure, and recovery will require whole-system investment in innovative, flexible and pragmatic solutions. Positioned at the heart of the healthcare system, ambulance services have been tasked with addressing avoidable hospital conveyance and reducing unnecessary emergency department and hospital attendances through the delivery of care closer to home. Having begun to implement models of care intended to increase 'see and treat' opportunities through greater numbers of senior clinical decision makers, emphasis has now been placed upon the use of remote clinical diagnostic tools and near-patient or point-of-care testing (POCT) to aid clinical decision making.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Ambulance services play a key role in the recognition and care of patients nearing their end of life, yet are expected to recognise and manage these complex presentations often with limited education. Paramedics operate across large geographical areas, meaning education delivery is challenging. Yorkshire Ambulance Service implemented Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), which is the creation of virtual communities of practice to address this problem and increase access to specialist supervision, education and sharing of practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: NHS ambulance service non-conveyance rates in the United Kingdom are around 30%, despite an increase in non-emergency cases and a national policy of integrating urgent and emergency care to provide patients with the 'right care, in the right place, at the right time'. Emergency department overcrowding is a significant issue for patients, resulting in poorer quality of care, increased healthcare costs and potentially, increased mortality. It also contributes to increased ambulance turnaround times.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: One-fifth of emergency department presentations by ambulance are due to acute-on-chronic breathlessness. We explored the feasibility of an evaluation-phase, cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a paramedic-administered, non-pharmacological breathlessness intervention for people with acute-on-chronic breathlessness at ambulance call-out (BREATHE) regarding breathlessness intensity and conveyance to hospital.
Methods: This mixed-methods, feasibility cRCT (ISRCTN80330546) randomised paramedics to usual care or intervention plus usual care.
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) remains one of the most significant viral pathogens in dogs in Australia and worldwide despite the availability of safe and effective CPV vaccines. At least three different variants of CPV-2 have emerged and spread all around the world, namely CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c. The ability of the current vaccines containing either original CPV-2 type or CPV-2b variant to cross protect the heterologous variants has been well demonstrated in laboratory studies, despite some concerns regarding the vaccine efficacy against the emerging variants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere has been a reemergence of research into the use of substances such as LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This increase in consideration toward the medicinal use of these compounds has been termed the "Psychedelic Renaissance." This article specifically explores the background of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound that is naturally derived from certain species of fungi.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic breathlessness, persistent and disabling despite optimal treatment of underlying causes, is a prevalent and frightening symptom and is associated with many emergency presentations and admission to hospital. Breathlessness management techniques used by paramedics may reduce the need for conveyance to hospital. The Breathlessness RElief AT HomE study (BREATHE) aims to explore the feasibility of conducting a definitive cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) for people with acute-on-chronic breathlessness who have called an ambulance, to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a paramedic-administered non-pharmacological breathlessness intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, causes tick paralysis in dogs and cats in the eastern coastal regions of Australia. Prevention is the best option to protect dogs against this potentially fatal disease and sarolaner provides rapid and sustained efficacy against I. holocyclus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Anecdotal experience demonstrates the existence of patients with superiorly located carotid stenosis, neoplasms, or aneurysms where the mandible obstructs effective surgical access using standard techniques. As carotid pathology extends anatomically beyond the limits of standard operative technique, additional exposure becomes paramount to safely and effectively address the lesion. Double mandibular osteotomy (DMO) is one of several techniques to obtain additional exposure to high-carotid pathology; however, there is no large series to address the outcomes of patients undergoing this procedure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The safety and efficacy of a new spot-on formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner were evaluated for the treatment and control of natural flea infestations on cats in two non-randomised, multi-centre clinical trials conducted in 8 different locations in Queensland, Australia.
Methods: One hundred and four cats from 65 different households were enrolled across the two studies. Demographic characteristics of cats in the two studies were similar.
Background: Haemaphysalis longicornis is the major tick affecting dogs in most of the East Asia/Pacific region and has recently been detected in a number of areas of the USA. This tick is a vector for a number of pathogens of dogs, other mammals and humans. In this study, the efficacy of a single oral administration of sarolaner (Simparica, Zoetis) at the minimum label dosage (2 mg/kg) was evaluated against an existing infestation of H.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe efficacy of a single application of a new topical formulation containing selamectin plus sarolaner (Revolution Plus / Stronghold Plus, Zoetis) was evaluated against fleas and ticks infesting cats enrolled as veterinary patients in two field studies conducted in Japan and against Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks on cats in a laboratory study. In the laboratory study, sixteen cats were ranked based on pre-treatment tick counts and allocated randomly to treatment on Day 0 with either selamectin plus sarolaner or placebo. Cats were infested with adult H.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConclusive evidence supporting a clinical difference between posterior-stabilized (PS) and cruciate-retaining (CR) designs in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) does not currently exist, despite both designs being used for decades. Proponents of PS designs that employ a cam-and-post mechanism cite in vivo fluoroscopic data that demonstrate improved posterior rollback; however, optimal rollback has never been correlated to superior clinical outcomes. Recently, anterior-lipped and more conforming CR bearings, such as ultracongruent, medial pivot, and dual-pivot designs, have been used to substitute for the posterior cruciate ligament and obviate the need for the cam-post mechanism of a traditional PS design.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a maturing technology, and the focus for improvement centers on optimizing patient satisfaction and further reducing revisions. It is commonly assumed that achieving closer-to-normal knee mechanics in a TKA will result in further improvement in outcomes and revision rates. Fixed-bearing TKA designs with asymmetric pivoting articulations are designed to provide more natural joint stability and kinematics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the maintenance of clinical competence and the effectiveness of the specialist paramedic in the context of mentorship, from the specialist paramedic's own perspective.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight specialist paramedics in four regions of one ambulance service. Thematic analysis and coding were used to explore the data and identify emergent themes.
Background: The efficacy and safety of a novel isoxazoline compound, sarolaner (Simparica, Zoetis) and spinosad (Comfortis, Elanco) as a positive control were evaluated for the treatment and control of natural flea infestations on dogs in two randomised, blinded, multi-centric clinical trials conducted in 11 veterinary clinics in northeastern and southeastern states of Australia.
Methods: A total of 162 client-owned dogs (80 in northern study and 82 in southern study) from 105 households were enrolled. Each household was randomly allocated to receive either sarolaner (Simparica, Zoetis) or spinosad (Comfortis, Elanco).
Background: The Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, causes paralysis predominantly in dogs and cats in the Eastern coastal regions of Australia. Rapid onset of effect of a parasiticide is critical to minimize the deleterious effects of these tick infestations, especially tick paralysis caused by the salivary neurotoxin. The speed of kill of a novel orally administered isoxazoline parasiticide, sarolaner chewable tablets (Simparica), against I.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: In recent years, the government of the Philippines embarked upon an ambitious Universal Health Care program, underpinned by the rapid scale-up of subsidized insurance coverage for poor and vulnerable populations. With a view of reducing the stubbornly high maternal mortality rates in the country, the program has a strong focus on maternal health services and is supported by a national policy of universal facility-based delivery (FBD). In this study, we examine the impact that recent reforms expanding health insurance coverage have had on FBD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGrowing evidence suggests that early life investments in health are associated with improved human capital and economic outcomes. Various recent global studies have simulated the expected economic returns from alternative packages of interventions in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH). However, very little is known about the comparability of estimates of the economic returns of RMNCH interventions across studies in low and middle income countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite achieving some success, wealth-related disparities in the utilisation of maternal and child health services persist in the Philippines. The aim of this study is to decompose the principal factors driving the wealth-based utilisation gap.
Methods: Using national representative data from the 2013 Philippines Demographic and Health Survey, we examine the extent overall differences in the utilisation of maternal health services can be explained by observable factors.
Background: One of the greatest obstacles facing efforts to address quality of care in low and middle income countries is the absence of relevant and reliable data. This article proposes a methodology for creating a single "Quality Index" (QI) representing quality of maternal and neonatal health care based upon data collected as part of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program.
Methods: Using the 2012 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey dataset, indicators of quality of care were identified based on the recommended guidelines outlined in the WHO Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth.